The 18th Annual Highlands Motoring Festival
4118 Elevation - The Height of Happiness
Come discover the beauty and artistry of exquisite machines in the setting of the western NC mountains in the resort village of Highlands NC
Car SHoW APplications and Event TIckets
Register for Classics in the Park
Tickets for The Gala
Tickets for the One Lap Events
Celebrate highlandsmotoringfestival Festival with Us!
highlandsmotoringfestival Food Festival: A Gastronomic Adventure
The highlandsmotoringfestival Food Festival is an annual event that celebrates the best of local and international cuisine. With over 50 food vendors offering a wide variety of dishes, there is something for every palate. The festival also features cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and live music. Join us for a weekend of delicious food and great entertainment!
Celebrating highlands motoring Festival on june 12-15, 2025
Thursday, June 12, 2025
“One Lap of the Mountains- Grande”- Driving Tour 8:15am-4:00pm
Friday, June 13, 2025
“One Lap of the Mountains- Speciale'” Driving Tour 8:15am to 4:15pm
Main Street Parade of Classic Cars 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Saturday, June 14, 2025
“Classics in the Park” Judged Car Show in the Kelsey-Hutchinson Park 9:30am to 4pm
“Motoring Gala” at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club 6pm to 9pm
Sunday, June 15, 2025
“High Octane” Social and Car Gathering in Kelsey-Hutchinson Park. 8:30am to 11am.
Discover highlands motoring festival
One Lap of the Mountains Driving Events
One Lap of the Mountains Driving Events
One Lap of the Mountains Driving Events
Join us for a wonderful, driving tour of the winding, and scenic roads of Western North Carolina mountain. Two tour groups daily with a longer more spirited drive on Thursday and the shorter more casual paced drive on Friday.
Classics In the Park Invitational
One Lap of the Mountains Driving Events
One Lap of the Mountains Driving Events
The centerpiece event of the festival is Saturday's concours level judged showing of invited classics. The 2025 featured theme is "The Cars of Enzo Ferrari". All pre-1990 makes and models are eligible to apply for invitation. This event is free for both spectators and participants, but donations are appreciated. The same is true for the "
The centerpiece event of the festival is Saturday's concours level judged showing of invited classics. The 2025 featured theme is "The Cars of Enzo Ferrari". All pre-1990 makes and models are eligible to apply for invitation. This event is free for both spectators and participants, but donations are appreciated. The same is true for the "Main Street Parade of Classics" and "the "High Octane" car show.
The Gala and Automobilia Auction
One Lap of the Mountains Driving Events
The Gala and Automobilia Auction
Come dine with old and new friends at the Wild Cat Country Club. You will hear tales of classic automobiles from the festival's Grand Marshall, Corky Coker. The evening will also include silent and live auctions of selected automotive memorabilia from the collection of Dr. Terry Clark and others.
Our Online application and purchase system
This year we have enhanced our online system to pride easier access for applying to the Car Show, and purchasing tickets for the Gala and entry into our On-Lap events. For returning patron, the system remembers your entry from last year and will provide that information you upon sign on.
See You At The Festival
Award Winners of the 2024 Highlands Motoring Festival
2024 Award Winners List
See the complete list of these fabulous automobiles that won
Best of Show, and all the Group Class Winners.
What Happened in 2024
"Classics in the Park Invitational"
"Classics in the Park Invitational"
"Classics in the Park Invitational"
Eighty-five invited concours level classic cars displayed in Kelsey Hutchinson Park in downtown Highlands. 2024 featured Pre-War classics.
“One Lap of the Mountains”
"Classics in the Park Invitational"
"Classics in the Park Invitational"
Mountain driving experience curated by local enthusiasts for beautiful scenery and quality roads.
Charity Auction & Gala
"Classics in the Park Invitational"
Charity Auction & Gala
Horsepower Gala and Auction with a program by Bill Warner and automotive memorabilia for the auction from the collection of Dr. Terry Clark.
“High Octane”
Main Street Parade of Classics
Charity Auction & Gala
A second car show and social gathering in the Kelsey Hutchinson Park and open to all interesting vehicles. There is no judging or any fees for entrants and spectators. Entrants can arrive and depart at will.
2023 Featured Marque- BMW
Main Street Parade of Classics
Main Street Parade of Classics
An assembly of classics was recruited to tell the history of BMW automobiles. Starting with the 1930 BMW Dixi, the collection included historical models: 315/1, 328, Veritas, 502, 503, 507, Isetta, 700, 2002 Turbo, e3, e9, M1, M3, Z1 and Z8. For six hours Highlands was home to one of the world's greatest collections of BMW's.
Main Street Parade of Classics
Main Street Parade of Classics
Main Street Parade of Classics
On Friday evening thousands of spectators lined Main Street Highlands to watch over a hundred classic cars in motion and being driven the way they were intended. The event is always free to spectators and participants.
The 2024 Highlands Motoring Festival® was successful by every measure including financial support that has been donated to local human needs charities. The festival’s net proceeds of $105,000+ has been distributed equally between REACH, Literacy Center, and Community Care Clinic.
Platinum Sponsors - click on the sponsor to see more
The Years of the highlands motoring festival
2024 Show Guide
2024 Show Guide
2024 Show Guide
The Highlands Motoring Festival Brochure for 2024
2023 Show Guide
2024 Show Guide
2024 Show Guide
The 2023 Highlands Motoring Festival® was successful by every measure please see the Highlands Motoring Festival Brochure for 2023.
2022 Show Guide
2024 Show Guide
2022 Show Guide
Take a look at the 2022 Show Guide and be amazed at the cars and the action.